Confidence at SVI: Packaging remains systemically relevant
Despite difficult general conditions, the Swiss Packaging Institute SVI looks back on a successful year - and optimistically into a future with great challenges.
After two years of online events, the General Assembly 2022 could again be held physically with participating members on May 19. President Philippe Dubois welcomed 20 voting participants to the 2022 General Meeting in Rheinfelden. After a brief review of the impact of the Corona crisis, the President noted that we have moved on to the next crisis virtually seamlessly. The war in Ukraine will also pose major challenges for the Swiss packaging industry. The entire value chain is facing upheavals, the scope of which is not yet at all clear. Above all, the availability and price increases of raw materials, transport services and energy are putting a strain on the industry. There is currently no relief in sight. In the Federal Office for National Agricultural Supply (BWL), the packaging industry was already declared systemically relevant in 2020 under the leadership of the SVI. Even in the current crisis, this could help to ensure that the supply situation for companies with packaging materials and energy in Switzerland remains guaranteed. Nevertheless, there will be changes.
Sustainability remains the defining issue
Despite the Corona crisis, the issue of sustainability has not lost its importance. It will continue to challenge the industry and lead to a rethink. Nevertheless, optimum protection of the contents must always be considered as the basic function of packaging, demanded President Philippe Dubois and Managing Director Andreas Zopfi in their remarks. The heated debates in the pre-Corona years about disposables, plastics and the poor image of packaging have not come to a standstill. The SVI responded by stepping up educational efforts about the functions and performance of packaging. Among other things, a partnership was established with the trade journal Pack current agreed. It remains a goal of the association to communicate the benefits of packaging more clearly and more broadly to the public. For this reason, the SVI was also one of the first associations to join the national pact "Closing the loop for plastics and beverage cartons".
Continuing education courses could take place, but still expandable
Due to Corona, the technical events could only be held online for the most part, but nevertheless attracted a high level of interest in the industry. The introduction day to packaging and the basic seminar were successful. The training program for packaging managers, which leads to a federal diploma, is still struggling as a result of the Corona crisis. At the moment, it is not possible to achieve a satisfactory class size.
Swiss Packaging Award successful
The 52nd Swiss Packaging Award last year was also influenced by the government's Corona measures. A total of 46 packaging solutions were submitted by 34 different participants. A physical award ceremony was not possible in spring 2021, which is why the winners were initially informed in writing. However, the award ceremony, which was festive as usual, could then be made up for on August 17, 2021 in the Kursaal Bern.
Reorganization of the office
After Andreas Zopfi returned to the SVI as Managing Director on October 1, 2020, the office was completely reorganized in 2021. Philipp Stalder successively took over the management of the new SVI Academy in the second half of the year, formally then as of January 1, 2022. Consolidating the SVI's position in French-speaking Switzerland is the task of Jérôme Bovet. In 2022, the breakthrough in French-speaking Switzerland must be achieved for the SVI's offers, otherwise the SVI's position in French-speaking Switzerland is fundamentally up for debate, said Andreas Zopfi. Susanne Köhler, responsible for communications, left the SVI in the second half of the year. She was succeeded as press editor by Dirk Schönrock, formally as of January 1, 2022. The office team also includes accountant Anita Werren from OBT AG, but she is not employed by the SVI.
New websites were designed and launched for the SVI and the SVI Academy in 2021. In addition, the SVI is increasingly active on social media channels. In addition, a business survey was launched among members in 2021 for the first time since 2014. Very encouraging: Around two thirds of the companies are optimistic about the future.
Small profit and 10 new members
SVI's financial statements for 2021 closed with a small profit of CHF 833. In addition, the long-standing trend of declining membership was reversed: SVI recorded ten new members in 2021. The membership fees of the SVI will not be increased to 2023.
It was with regret that the resignation of Michael Villiger from the Board was announced. Tobias Leischner, CEO of Bourquin SA, was proposed and elected as a replacement. The SVI would also like to have the entire value chain of the packaging industry represented on the board in terms of personnel. With Micaël Müller, Head of CoE for Packaging at Migros Industrie, a representative of the retail trade was newly elected to the Board. All other existing board members were confirmed in their positions and Philippe Dubois was re-elected as president.
The SVI Board for the term of office 2022 to 2025 is now composed as follows: Christine Arnet, Philippe Dubois (President), Tobias Leischner, Micaël Müller, Hansruedi Schafflützel (Vice President) and Patrick Semadeni.
